DATE=7/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=COHEN - FIGHTER PLANE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252154
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=
INTRO: Defense Secretary William Cohen says he will
fight hard to get Congress to restore money for a
controversial, next-generation Air Force fighter jet.
The U-S House of Representatives chopped one-point-
eight-billion dollars from the F-22 (jet) program; the
Senate earlier approved the funding. Supporters of the
F-22 "Raptor" say it will be the best fighter plane
the world has ever seen. Critics say it will be the
most expensive. V-O-A's Jim Randle reports.
TEXT: Mr. Cohen says he will meet with as many
members of Congress as possible, particularly those
serving on the conference committee that must resolve
differences between the House and Senate versions of
the defense spending bill.
Mr. Cohen says he will tell members the budget cut
will cause costly delays and likely kill the complex
program. Mr. Cohen says the F-22 is designed to clear
the skies of enemy planes -- making it possible for U-
S spy planes and bombers to reach heavily defended
targets. He says without the F-22, those bombers will
need expensive upgrades to survive any conflict.
And Mr. Cohen says the cost of killing the Raptor may
be measured in American pilots' lives.
/// COHEN ACT ///
Our pilots will be flying F-15's and
that's technology we developed back in
the late 60's and early 70's. It has
been upgraded to be sure, but they
will be flying aircraft that are
considerably older than we think is
wise.
/// END ACT ///
But congressional critics of the F-22 say it may cost
200-million dollars per plane, several times the price
of current fighters that performed well recently over
Iraqi and Yugoslav skies.
They also point out the F-22 is one of three different
combat aircraft currently under development in the
United States. The others include a new bomber and a
major upgrade for the Navy's best fighter plane. The
programs could cost a total of 340-billion dollars,
which some members of Congress say is more than the
United States can afford.
///REST OPT ///
Mr. Cohen spoke to reporters on a flight to Tokyo,
where he will meet with Japan's prime minister and
defense minister to talk about concerns that North
Korea may test-launch a new, more-powerful ballistic
missile and about the strained relations between
Taiwan and China. Later, Mr. Cohen travels to South
Korea, Turkey, Ukraine and Georgia for further talks.
(signed)
neb/jr/jo/rrm
26-Jul-1999 08:55 AM LOC (26-Jul-1999 1255 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.